Its location right next to Washington, D.C., makes Arlington, Virginia, an easy destination to visit and a great place to stay away from the crowded areas of DC. The capital has plenty going on, and I’m sure I’ll get to that in a future post. For now, it’s Arlington’s time to shine.
Arlington National Cemetery
Image via Flickr by jimbowen0306
Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Some 4 million people visit the Arlington National Cemetery every year. Is it really that weird? Hear me out.
Beyond serving as the honorable resting place of fallen soldiers, the 600 acres of uniformity and solemnity hold plenty of surprises. Look for Robert F. Kennedy’s nondescript grave as well as the gravesites of two presidents and Pierre Charles L’Enfant, the Frenchman who designed downtown Washington, D.C. John F. Kennedy’s grave is notably larger than most, and the eternal flame lights the way.
Another large highlight is the Memorial Amphitheater, the center of pomp and circumstance during burial services. Like many other aspects of the area, it’s constructed of white marble and takes its inspiration from classical Greek theaters.
One less-visited area of the cemetery is Robert E. Lee’s former residence, a section where dozens of soldiers are buried. He owned the land before the Civil War, but in 1864 the Union wanted to discourage Lee’s return to Virginia. Dozens of soldiers were buried by Lee’s rose garden, and the area became a cemetery. It’s a quirky corner of a mainstream attraction and worthy of a few minutes of your time.
Drug Enforcement Administration Museum
A highlight of any trip to Arlington is visiting the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Museum. It offers a fascinating look at the history of drugs and drug enforcement in the U.S. The museum’s exhibitions are very straightforward or square, just like you’d expect from a government agency. There’s little mention of the so-called war on drugs, but the museum acknowledges that drug use is a difficult thing to stamp out.
Don’t leave without visiting the gift shop. You’ll find plenty of pins and some hilarious marijuana intelligence patches. Note that bags are subject to an X-ray scan upon entering the museum.
The Skinny House
Most houses fall into pretty standard sizes, but some fit oddly shaped or sized lots. The Skinny House is only 12 feet wide, but it has four stories to give residents a bit more space. The house was built in 2009 and had an asking price of $1 million during the housing bubble. It was later withdrawn from the market and is now rented out, so appreciate it from the outside or see if it’s available to rent.
A Couple of Weird Parks, Anyone? Freedom Park and the Dark Star Park
From a toppled statue of Lenin to the prison door that caged Martin Luther King, Jr., Freedom Park is a reminder that gaining freedom has long been a struggle. Keep your eyes out for the largest collection of Berlin Wall pieces outside of Germany.
Also worthy of a few minutes’ visit is the Dark Star Park, a sculptural environment and commissioned art project inside a public park. Large concrete spheres represent fallen stars, while circular tunnels and ponds add to the weirdness. Don’t miss this if you’re in town on August 1. The park has shadow images that perfectly align with the shadows that naturally appear at 9:32am on August 1.
For more things to see and do in Arlington, Virginia, and beyond, see virginia.org.
A quick note: as I was researching this post, I fully intended to include the Deep Throat Parking Garage. History buffs will recall this as the meeting place between Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward and the Deep Throat informant in 1972 and 1973. The building is scheduled to be torn down and replaced, but the historical marker that commemorates it will remain on-site.
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